BMW to secure a 10-year supply of cobalt and lithium for EV batteries

BMW doesn’t have many electric vehicles on the market and doesn’t even manufacture its own battery cells. Yet, the German automaker is looking ahead and aims to secure a 10-year supply of cobalt and lithium for EV batteries as part of a new strategy.

“The aim is to secure the supply all the way down to the level of the mine, for 10 years. The contracts are ready to be signed.”

The two metals are currently essential to the production of high energy density Li-ion battery cells and if no alternative is found in the next few years, the demand for those metals are expected to soar as Li-ion battery cells start to power more mass-produced electric vehicles.

Over the last 10 years, the price of lithium more than doubled and as for cobalt, it more than tripled over the last 3 years.

BMW didn’t have to dive that deep into the electric car supply chain as its all-electric vehicle effort cool down since the launch of the BMW i3 in 2013, but the German automaker is now looking to release a series of new all-electric vehicles starting with an electric Mini next year.

Not sure if 10-year contracts are a good idea. Battery cells are evolving fast and manufacturers are changing the chemistry to optimise performance and reduce cost. Lately there has been recognition about the amount of Cobalt required in Mobile and EVs combined, which is causing cost and supply concerns.